Youth Ideathon
2026
Youth Ideathon Is India’s Largest Entrepreneurship Competition
WHO IS IT FOR?
The Youth Ideathon 2026 is open to all School & College students in India. Student from 8 – 12 Class and UG & PG can submit their ideas
School & College Registration
Registration is open to all Institution (Colleges / Schools) encouraging diverse institutions to join the competition now.
Faculty Development Program
The FDP is for teachers and mentors, equipping educators with skills to foster innovation in their classrooms.
Submit
Your Idea
YI26 is open to students. Ideas may be submitted individually or in teams of up to 5 members.
Principal’s
Award
This award recognizes Principals who foster innovation ecosystems in schools and colleges through exceptional leadership.
Key Themes
1
FinTech
Build digital solutions for payments, banking, lending, and financial inclusion for the next billion users.
2
Geographic Information System
Use geospatial data and mapping to solve problems in urban planning, agriculture, disaster management, and navigation.
3
AI and Chip Innovation
Create AI-powered products and work on semiconductor/chip design to drive the future of intelligent hardware.
4
Sustainability
Develop solutions for clean energy, waste management, water conservation, and climate action.
5
Space
Innovate in satellite tech, space data, navigation, and applications that benefit life on Earth.
6
Next Billion Innovation Challenge
Build affordable, scalable tech for rural India, vernacular users, and first-time internet users.
7
Supporting Girl Entrepreneurs
Create products and platforms that empower women entrepreneurs and drive women-led innovation.
8
EdTech
Create digital learning solutions for K-12, higher education, and skill development. Build tools for personalized learning, accessibility, and bridging the education gap.
9
Open Innovation
Pick any problem of your choice outside the above themes. Build a solution that creates real impact for society, industry, or communities.
How to Submit Your Idea
Step-by-Step Guide
Youth Ideathon encourages our youth to dream big and gives their dreams wings.
Organized by ThinkStartup and MEPSC in association with CBSE, Youth Ideathon is India’s biggest innovation and entrepreneurship competition for school/College students. Over the past four editions, it has inspired young minds to solve real-world problems with creative ideas. In 2025, the competition saw incredible participation over 3 lakh students from 10,000+ schools took part, and prizes worth ₹25 lakhs were awarded. Now, we’re excited to launch Youth Ideathon 2026 bigger, bolder, and even more impactful!
Success stories
Here are some inspiring stories of young innovators and their projects.
Padh.AI
PadhAI: An AI-powered virtual tutor transforming learning for Grades 6–12. Aligned with NCERT/CBSE, it offers free, precise, step-by-step guidance in English and Hindi, with more languages coming soon. Tested to excel in Class 10 exams!
WATER WARRIOR
Meet NIRI: A smart water-saving device with four modes—Normal, Alert, Regulate, and Eco. Inspired by the Kaizen approach, it helps you measure, manage, and reduce water usage for a sustainable future. Be a Water Warrior with NIRI!
HOMEGUARD TRIO
Homeshield: An affordable air purifier with water sprinkling to tackle PM 2.5 and PM 10, activated carbon for gases, and UV-C light to eliminate viruses and molds. Clean air, made accessible! Breathe healthier, live better with Homeshield’s purification.
GLIMPSES OF PAST EDITIONS
Got an Idea?
Turn it into the next big thing!